In a recent development to transform potato farming in the region, the Haryana Horticulture Department and the International Potato Center (CIP) have officially entered into a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, signed on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, marks a great step towards boosting high-quality potato seed production in southern Haryana. This strategic collaboration aims to provide farmers with superior, disease-free seeds and ultimately increase their income.
The ceremony, held in Chandigarh, was graced by the presence of Haryana’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shyam Singh Rana and Director General of CIP, Simon Heck. Other key attendees included senior officials and scientists from the International Potato Centre and PTC Shamgarh, including Dr. Arjun Singh Saini (HOD-DoJ), Dr. Ranbir Singh (DG-DoH), Dr. Neeraj Sharma (Country Manager, CIP), Dr Mohinder Kadian (Project Manager CIP) , Ms Deepa Toni (Sr Value Chain Specialist-CIP), and Dr. Manoj Bhanukar (DDH-DoH). The involvement of the International Potato Center (CIP) brings global expertise and advanced research capabilities to the initiative, ensuring the application of best practices in seed potato development.
The invaluable contributions of Dr. Mohinder Kadian (Project Manager) and Dr. Arjun Singh Saini (HOD) were central to this project’s success. Their leadership and guidance were the driving force, making the third phase of this initiative possible. The involvement of the International Potato Center (CIP), bolstered by the expertise of individuals like Dr. Kadiyan and Dr. Saini, brings global knowledge and advanced research capabilities to the forefront, ensuring the application of best practices in seed potato development.
This collaborative effort is proposed under the Prime Minister Agriculture Scheme – Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). A substantial sum of ₹4.48 crore has already been approved by the central government for the year 2025-26, as part of a larger project with a total outlay of ₹18.70 crore, to be implemented over a period of four years.
The primary objective of this MoU is to facilitate the production of ‘Early Generation Seed’ of potatoes in Central districts of Haryana and processsing potatoes in the southern districts of Haryana, specifically Dadri, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, and Rewari. By providing farmers with high-quality and disease-free seeds, the initiative seeks to foster a robust agricultural economy. Minister Rana emphasized that this will not only increase farmers’ income significantly but also solidify Haryana’s position as a leading potato seed-producing state. This strategic shift is designed to ensure that farmers have access to the best possible starting material for their crops, leading to healthier plants and higher yields.
The implementation hub for this ambitious project will be the Potato Technology Center (PTC) established by the Horticulture Department in Shyamgarh, Karnal. This centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including ARC technique, Aeroponics Units, and Controlled Climate Facilities, ensuring the production of genetically superior and healthy seeds. These modern facilities are crucial for producing the ‘Early Generation Seed’ which is the foundation for high-quality potato cultivation.
This agreement is a “milestone” for farmers, for its profound implications for the state’s agricultural future and has the potential to give a new direction to potato seed production in the state’s southern districts, ensuring the consistent availability of high-quality, disease-free seeds. This project is anticipated to make Haryana self-reliant in potato seed production, potentially enabling the state to supply quality seeds to other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand. Furthermore, the collaboration is expected to provide Haryana’s farmers with climate-resilient and disease-resistant seeds, significantly improving their crop yields and making them more adaptable to changing environmental conditions. The MoU will also ensure farmers gain access to advanced techniques, direct market connections, and better prices for their produce, leading to an overall improvement in both production and income.
